Fire Marshal

Job Description Fire Marshal

The Fire Marshal leads the Danville Fire Department’s community risk reduction program to reduce the risk of fire, injury, and loss of life and property. The position coordinates fire prevention, fire and life safety inspections, plan review, fire investigations, public education, and the Knox Box program throughout the department’s service area.

The Fire Marshal works under the general supervision of the Deputy Chief of Administration and independently manages assigned programs within department policy and delegated authority. Performance is evaluated through the quality, timeliness, and results of the work performed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and administer community risk reduction activities. Use incident trends, inspection findings, and community needs to identify priorities and recommend prevention strategies.
• Conduct fire and life safety inspections of buildings, occupancies, facilities, and special events as assigned. Identify hazards, document findings, explain corrective actions, and conduct follow-up inspections.
• Apply applicable fire and life safety codes, ordinances, and department policies within the authority assigned to the position. Refer unresolved violations and matters requiring additional enforcement to the appropriate authority.
• Review construction plans, site plans, changes in occupancy, and fire protection system documents for fire department access, water supply, and fire and life safety concerns. Coordinate findings with building officials, planning staff, developers, and contractors.
• Coordinate or witness acceptance inspections and testing of fire alarms, sprinkler systems, commercial kitchen hood suppression systems, and other fire protection systems as authorized. Review associated reports and maintain inspection records.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Continued

• Conduct or coordinate fire origin and cause investigations within the employee’s training and assigned authority. Document scenes, preserve evidence, prepare reports, and coordinate with law enforcement and other investigative agencies when appropriate.
• Develop and deliver fire and life safety education for residents, schools, businesses, community groups, and department personnel. Tailor programs to identified risks and audience needs.
• Manage the Knox Box program, including installation coordination, access information, recordkeeping, and communication with responding crews in accordance with department security procedures.
• Provide inspection and occupancy information to operations personnel and assist with preincident planning, including fire protection systems, access limitations, and significant building hazards.
• Maintain accurate inspection, plan review, investigation, and public education records. Prepare activity reports and analyze program results to support department planning and accountability.
• Assist in preparing and monitoring the fire prevention budget. Recommend equipment, supplies, training, and program resources and track authorized expenditures.
• Represent the department at meetings and community events. Maintain effective working relationships with department members, Town officials, other agencies, property owners, and the public.
• Maintain required certifications and continuing education. Operate assigned vehicles and equipment safely. Support emergency incidents and other department activities as assigned and within current qualifications.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the position and department needs.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of fire prevention, community risk reduction, building construction, occupancy hazards, fire protection systems, inspection practices, and fire investigation methods.
• Ability to interpret and apply relevant codes, standards, plans, and technical documents within assigned authority and explain requirements in practical terms.
• Ability to organize work, manage competing priorities, maintain accurate records, analyze data, and prepare clear written reports and presentations.
• Sound judgment, professional integrity, and the ability to work independently while keeping the chain of command informed of significant issues.
• Ability to protect confidential information, maintain secure access records, and work effectively with people of varied backgrounds.

Minimum Qualifications

• Valid Indiana driver’s license
• Successfully Pass background check
• U.S. Citizen
• IDHS Fire Inspector I
• IDHS Fire Investigator

Required Within One Year of Appointment

• IDHS Fire Inspector II
• IDHS Fire and Life Safety Educator I
• Maintain required certifications throughout employment.

Preferred Requirements

• IDHS Firefighter I & II
• IDHS Fire Officer Strategy and Tactics
• IDHS Fire Officer I
• IDHS Fire Instructor I
• IDHS EMT certification
• Training in building construction.
• Three or more years of fire prevention, fire and life safety education, and investigation experience.

Work Schedule and Environment

The regular work schedule is 40 hours per week. Evening, weekend, and after-hours work may be required for investigations, meetings, public education, and assigned incidents. Work is performed in office settings, occupied buildings, construction sites, and incident scenes. Conditions may include uneven surfaces, stairs and ladders, adverse weather, smoke, debris, noise, and other hazards. The employee must use required protective equipment and follow department safety procedures.

Essential duties may require standing, walking, sitting, reaching, handling tools or equipment, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; communicating with others; and frequently lifting or moving up to 50 pounds. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.